Contents [hide]

Tanner History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Tanner History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany
Ireland

Etymology of Tanner

What does the name Tanner mean?

The Tanner family name dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name comes from when an early member worked as a person who worked as the local tanner. This occupational surname was originally derived from the work that the original bearer did. In this case the original bearer treated animal skins with tannin in order to prevent the skins from decomposing so that they could use the leather to produce various goods. Occupational names frequently were derived from the principal object associated with the activity of the original bearer, such as tools or products. These types of occupational surnames are called metonymic surnames.

Early Origins of the Tanner family

The surname Tanner was first found in Devon, but we must look to Normandy to find the earliest record of the family. For it is there that Hugh de Tanur made grants to the Abbey of Culture, Normandy in 1082. 1 At that time, there was a variety of early spellings including Tannour, Le Tannur, Tannator and Le Tanur. 2

Later, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 would show the wide usage of the name and early variants throughout ancient Britain: Elfer Tannator, Sussex; John Tannarius, Oxfordshire; Philip le Tannour, Huntingdonshire; and Henry le Tanur, Nottinghamshire. 3

Early History of the Tanner family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tanner research. Another 80 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1613, 1630, 1657, 1658, 1674, 1682, 1735 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Tanner History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tanner Spelling Variations

Tanner has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Tanner have been found, including Tanner, Tannor and others.

Early Notables of the Tanner family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Anthony Tanner of Collumpton in Devon
Thomas Tanner (1674-1735), English Bishop of Norwich, and later Bishop of Ely

Tanner World Ranking

In the United States, the name Tanner is the 640^th most popular surname with an estimated 47,253 people with that name. 4 However, in Australia, the name Tanner is ranked the 776^th most popular surname with an estimated 5,040 people with that name. 5 And in New Zealand, the name Tanner is the 847^th popular surname with an estimated 863 people with that name. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Tanner as 773^rd with 8,715 people. 7

Migration of the Tanner family to Ireland

Some of the Tanner family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tanner migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Tanners to arrive on North American shores:

Tanner Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Daniel Tanner, aged 40, who settled in Virginia in 1618 aboard the ship "Sampson"
Josias Tanner, who landed in Virginia in 1624-1625 8
Barbary Tanner, who landed in Virginia in 1635 8
Daniel Tanner, who arrived in Virginia in 1640 8
Tobias Tanner, who landed in Virginia in 1642 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Tanner Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Anne Tanner, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 8
Urban Tanner, who settled in New England in 1709 with his wife and four daughters
Palle Tanner, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 8
Thomas Tanner, who arrived in Virginia in 1715 8
Michael Tanner, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1727 aboard the ship "James Goodwill" 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Tanner Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Henry Thomas Tanner, who arrived in New York, NY in 1837 8
Nicholas Tanner, who landed in New York in 1840 8
Georg Tanner, who arrived in New York, NY in 1847 8
Sabastian Tanner, who landed in Arkansas in 1849 8
Conrad Tanner, who landed in New York, NY in 1850 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Tanner migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Tanner Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Samuel Tanner, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
Ursual Tanner, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1757
Ursula Tanner, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1757
Christian Tanner, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1757
Maria Tanner, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1757
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Tanner migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Tanner Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Tanner, English convict from Southampton, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 9
Mr. Charles Tanner, English convict who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Asiatic" on 5th June 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. William Tanner, British Convict who was convicted in Leeds, Yorkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 6th April 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
James Tanner, English convict from Surrey, who was transported aboard the "Adamant" on March 16, 1821, settling in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. William Tanner, (b. 1809), aged 21, English convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for life for house breaking, transported aboard the "Clyde" on 20th August 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Tanner migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Tanner Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. William Tanner, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Nourmahal" arriving in Dunedin, Otaga, South Island, New Zealand on 5th May 1858 14
Mrs. Tanner, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Nourmahal" arriving in Dunedin, Otaga, South Island, New Zealand on 5th May 1858 14
Mr. Tanner, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Nourmahal" arriving in Dunedin, Otaga, South Island, New Zealand on 5th May 1858 14
Miss Tanner, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Nourmahal" arriving in Dunedin, Otaga, South Island, New Zealand on 5th May 1858 14
Herbert E. Tanner, aged 19, a carpenter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duke of Edinburgh" in 1873
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Tanner (post 1700) +

Sally M. Tanner (1926-2021), American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 1988 15
Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937), American painter, the first African-American painter to gain international acclaim
Paul Tanner (1917-2013), American musician and former member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra
Marion Tanner (b. 1929), birth name of Marion Marshall, an American actress
Charles R. Tanner (1896-1974), American science fiction and fantasy author
Erin Tanner (b. 1985), American singer, best known for her work with No Secrets, an American girl group
Antwon Tanner (b. 1975), American actor, best known for his recurring role as Michael on the UPN sitcom Moesha (1996-97)
Gid Tanner (1885-1960), American fiddler
Elmo Tanner (1904-1990), American whistler, bandleader, singer, and radio personality
Joseph Richard "Joe" Tanner (b. 1950), former NASA astronaut with over 262 hours in space 16
... (Another 58 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Tanner family +

HMS Royal Oak

Benjamin Cyril Tanner (1908-1939), British Sergeant with the Royal Marine aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 17

USS Arizona

Mr. Russell Allen Tanner, American Gunner's Mate Third Class from Washington, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 18

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-st-vincent
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Adamant voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1821 with 144 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/adamant/1821
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/clyde
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 27) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
NASA Astronauts Homepage. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Joseph Tanner. Retrieved from http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/tanner.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html